How do I tie up/support my 8' tall upright boxwoods?

donnaroeJune 8, 2013

These upright boxwoods were 18" tall when I purchased them 20 years ago. They are in an area in our yard which has been sadly neglected. They are now around 8'-10' tall and are in need of being tied up. I could use some help with how to go about doing this. I know that I have to put the rope into a piece of hose, or something that will protect the trunks. There are multiple trunks to gather together. How far apart shall I gather them? I don't know where to start. Should I prune some foliage away? Or, is this a plant that should be left alone, and just supported? I am surprised there is no snow damage, as they get alot of snow piled between the branches when we get a good snow. Thanks to anyone who can help.

hi donnaroe,
I have seen chicken wire cut to size and wrapped around upright plants like taxus, junipers, topiary etc. You might also think about a loosely woven fabric or netting. It will be hidden as the new growth grows through it.

I finally took some photos of our terribly overgrown boxwoods. Maybe this will help with just how to selectively prune these, and then tie up/support them, so that they keep somewhat of an upright shape. Now they are messy looking. Thanks to anyone who can help, as we really need to so something about this!

donnaroe, I completely misunderstood your initial post. I thought that you were asking about upright, fastigiate or columnar boxwood.
Now that you have posted a pic it looks like you have American Box doing what American Box does. We see them often around large federal buildings and college campuses. This is not the dward English or edgeing box.
ps, the leaves are opposite, not alternate right?

Thank you, sam, for answering. I just went and looked, and yes the leaves are opposite, not alternate. Gosh, you really know your boxwood! I did not know what kind they were. I only know that they were about a foot tall when I bought them over 20 years ago.

So, what do you think we should do with them? If you don't think they need to be pruned, then I would like to go in and clean out the dead leaves that have worked their way into the interior over the years, prune out the very few pieces of branches that are brown, and then tie them in a few places to give them a more tidy look. If you think this is a good plan, should I cut some garden hose, and then put some sort of roping inside of that to protect the bark and support them this way? What type of rope/cord should I use which won't degrade in the weather?